1976 I bought a New 1977 K20 Chevrolet std cab Scottsdale trim package pickup. My price was $6700+/- some. 350 4spd fwd, had to add on AC as was not originally built with. AC Add was in the price. In 1975 had looked at a New IHC 3/4ton fwd std cab was under $4500. Should have bought that one. bought Used trucks from 77 on until 1996, late year bought a 97 F250ext cab 351 auto fwd. POS. Best day gs mileage LESS than the 460 used monster I had, cab leaked from week one, marker lamps area. Pretty truck but a PITA, so traded again in 99 for the SD I still have that is speedily rotting away. Gave $18xxx for the 97, got $17+ in trade that paid off loan, new SD was $25xxx List but was discounted to $23xxx. Paid off in two years. I made $5.50/hr in 77 plus scrapping moneys side working, In 96 at UE was making just over $21/hr. By 2000 most mechanics I knew were just over $25/hr I was making $37/hr at power station.
In 1987 bought the wife our first New CAR in years being together, Merc Cougar was $89xx, in 91 traded that for a new Explorer and was a New model for Ford was $14xxx. Had various CHEAP cars for wife from 91 to 2017, bought her the current Exploder and it will HAVE to last as was just under $28xxx. New Pickups I have seen bought or offered for sale around here, Crew Cab Dually are OVER $75 for Gas and closer to $90 for Diesel, unless get stupid options loaded models and those well over $100K. Warranties are worthless, as get you for Shops Supplies and other Fees so still end up paying for repairs. Have NOT Bought a Extended warranty since the 87. At my retirement Income no outside work income I am making over $25/hour so roughly Five Times what made in 1976, where that 77 K20 today would be around $60-75,000 is roughly Double where should be in relative figure to income. EVEN if take it out to $35-40/hr and shift it to 8 times what I made in 76/77 is still well above the value of Income. I could for $160 TAKE Home pay per weekly paycheck buy a truck on a three year note and still eat while buy tools, pay housing expenses.
Costs rise Exponentially to Payrolls, does not factor out as to Value or Inflation Based.